If you're trying to figure out shipping container dimensions before buying, renting, or building with one, the size you pick determines almost everything else: cost, what fits inside, whether it needs a permit, and how it gets delivered to your site.
This guide covers every standard size Iron Box carries (10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube, 45ft, and 53ft), with exact exterior and interior dimensions, cubic capacity, and what each size is actually good for. It's written by the team at Iron Box, Oregon's own shipping container dealer, based out of our yard in Creswell. Every dimension and price point below reflects what's actually in stock and moving out to job sites across the state.
Quick Answer: Shipping containers come in six common sizes: 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube, 45ft, and 53ft. The most popular are 20ft (about 150 sq ft) and 40ft (about 300 sq ft), with High Cube versions adding an extra foot of height. Iron Box carries all six sizes, delivered across Oregon.
Shipping Container Dimensions Chart: All Sizes at a Glance
Shipping containers follow largely standardized dimensions, so a given size will measure roughly the same no matter who you buy it from. What changes most is condition and price. Here's every size Iron Box carries, side by side:
| Size | Exterior (L x W x H) | Interior (approx.) | Door Opening (approx.) | Cubic Capacity (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft | 10ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | 9ft 3in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 10in | 7ft 8in W x 7ft 6in H | ~560 cu ft |
| 20ft | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | 19ft 4in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 10in | 7ft 8in W x 7ft 6in H | ~1,170 cu ft |
| 40ft | 40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | 39ft 5in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 10in | 7ft 8in W x 7ft 6in H | ~2,390 cu ft |
| 40ft High Cube | 40ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in | 39ft 5in x 7ft 8in x 8ft 10in | 7ft 8in W x 8ft 5in H | ~2,694 cu ft |
| 45ft High Cube | 45ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in | 44ft 4in x 7ft 8in x 8ft 10in | 7ft 8in W x 8ft 5in H | ~3,040 cu ft |
| 53ft High Cube | 53ft x 8ft 6in x 9ft 6in | 52ft x 8ft 2in x 8ft 11in | 7ft 8in W x 8ft 5in H | ~3,830 cu ft |
Note: 53ft containers are a domestic size (not part of the international ISO 668 standard) and typically run 8ft 6in wide instead of 8ft, giving slightly more interior width than the smaller sizes. These are standard industry figures, so confirm exact specs with our team on the specific unit you're purchasing.
Which Size Do You Need? Quick Decision Guide
- 10ft: Tight urban lots, job sites with limited space, or a secure lockbox for tools and equipment without committing to a full-size unit.
- 20ft: The most popular size: storage for a 2-3 bedroom home, job site storage, or a small workshop/backyard office with insulation and electrical added.
- 40ft: Full household storage, larger job sites, or the starting point for most container ADU and workshop builds.
- 40ft High Cube: Same footprint as a 40ft, with an extra foot of ceiling height that's worth it for almost any build-out with insulation, ductwork, or shelving.
- 45ft High Cube: Larger commercial storage, equipment, or inventory needs where floor space matters more than maneuverability.
- 53ft High Cube: Iron Box's largest size, built for maximum capacity in commercial, logistics, or multi-room build-outs.
Still not sure? Iron Box's team talks through square footage and use case with every caller before recommending a size, at no cost. Get a free quote and we'll help you land on the right fit.
10ft & 20ft Containers: Compact Storage and Small Builds
The 10ft container is the smallest size Iron Box carries: a secure, lockable box for tight urban lots, job sites with limited space, or simply extra lockable storage without committing to a full-size unit.
The 20ft container is the most popular size for a reason. At roughly 150 square feet, it's large enough to store the contents of a 2-3 bedroom home, work as job site storage, or become a small workshop or backyard office with insulation and electrical added. It's also small enough to fit on most residential driveways or side yards without a second thought.
- Storage for seasonal equipment, landscaping gear, or a household's belongings
- Job site tool and materials storage for contractors
- Small workshop, hobby space, or backyard studio
- Single-vehicle garage alternative with a roll-up door installed
40ft & 40ft High Cube Containers: The Full-Size Workhorses
Step up to a 40ft container and you roughly double your floor space (about 300 square feet) without doubling the width. That makes it the standard choice for full household storage, larger job sites, and container ADU or workshop builds where an open, unbroken span matters.
The 40ft High Cube adds one extra foot of ceiling height (9ft 6in exterior, about 8ft 10in usable inside) for the same footprint. That extra headroom is worth it for almost any build-out: insulation, ceiling-mounted electrical, HVAC ductwork, and shelving all eat into usable height fast, and High Cube gives you the margin a standard 40ft container doesn't. Most of Iron Box's container ADU and workshop builds start from a 40ft High Cube for exactly this reason.
- Full household storage for a 3-4+ bedroom home
- Commercial inventory, retail overflow, or fleet equipment storage
- Container homes, ADUs, and multi-room workshop layouts
- Agricultural and cold storage, including refrigerated container conversions
45ft & 53ft Containers: Large-Scale Commercial Storage
For larger commercial, agricultural, or logistics needs, Iron Box also carries 45ft and 53ft High Cube containers. A 45ft High Cube offers roughly 3,040 cubic feet of capacity, enough for serious equipment or inventory storage. The 53ft, Iron Box's largest size, is a domestic (non-ISO) container that's also slightly wider than the smaller sizes, pushing capacity to around 3,830 cubic feet.
These larger sizes see less residential use but are common for retail overflow, fleet equipment storage, or multi-room commercial build-outs where floor space matters more than maneuverability. Delivery logistics matter more at this size, too, so talk to our team early about site access before committing to a 45ft or 53ft unit.
How Container Size Affects Price
Price scales with size, but not perfectly: condition (new/one-trip vs. used, and grade) moves the number almost as much as length does. Here's the general range Oregon buyers can expect for our two most common sizes:
| Size | Used | New / One-Trip |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft | $2,500 – $3,300 | $3,900 – $4,400 |
| 40ft | $3,000 – $3,700 | $5,000 – $5,400 |
10ft, 45ft, and 53ft pricing varies more by availability and condition, so request a quote for exact numbers on those sizes. If you're weighing new against used, our guide on new vs. used shipping containers breaks down what those condition grades mean for durability and cost. Not ready to buy outright? A month-to-month container rental is worth considering for short-term or seasonal needs. No long-term contract required.
Why Oregon Buyers Choose Iron Box
Size is only half the decision. Who you buy from matters just as much. Iron Box has delivered 1,000+ containers across Oregon, and a few things set us apart from national brokers reselling containers sight-unseen:
- Oregon-owned and operated. You're talking to a local team operating out of our own yard in Creswell, OR, not a call center.
- Every container is inspected before delivery. Each unit gets a pre-delivery quality inspection and an honest condition grade, so there are no surprises when it shows up.
- Modifications happen in-house. Insulation, electrical, roll-up doors, and custom builds are done in our own Creswell shop, not subcontracted out.
- Transparent pricing. The price we quote is the price you pay. No hidden fees, no surprise line items later.
- You're not locked in. Between month-to-month rentals and our buyback program, you have an exit path if your project changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard dimensions of a shipping container?
A standard 20ft shipping container measures 20ft long, 8ft wide, and 8ft 6in tall, with about 1,170 cubic feet of interior space. A standard 40ft container doubles the length to 40ft, offering roughly 2,390 cubic feet. High cube versions add an extra foot of height for more usable interior space.
How much space is in a 40ft shipping container in square feet?
A 40ft container gives you roughly 300 square feet of floor space (about 8ft wide by 39ft 5in long inside). That's double the ~150 square feet in a 20ft container, within the same 8-foot width, making 40ft containers a common choice for full household storage or larger workshop conversions.
What are the internal dimensions of a 20ft container?
Inside, a 20ft container measures approximately 19ft 4in long, 7ft 8in wide, and 7ft 10in tall, or about 1,170 cubic feet total. That's roughly 150 square feet of usable floor space, enough for storage, a small workshop, or a single-vehicle garage alternative.
Is a high cube container worth it?
A high cube container adds one extra foot of height (9ft 6in exterior versus 8ft 6in standard), giving about 8ft 10in of usable interior height instead of 7ft 10in. That extra headroom matters most for workshops, ADUs, or any build-out with ceiling-mounted insulation, lighting, or HVAC ductwork.
What's the largest shipping container size?
The largest commonly available size is the 53ft high cube container, a domestic (non-ISO) size popular in the U.S. for its extra length and width. It offers close to 3,830 cubic feet of capacity, making it the go-to choice for large-scale commercial storage, logistics, or multi-room build-outs.
Can a 20ft container fit on a residential driveway?
In most cases, yes. A 20ft container's footprint (20ft by 8ft) fits comfortably on a standard driveway or side yard. A 40ft container needs about double that length, so measure your available space first, and always check local permitting and HOA rules before delivery.
What's the difference between a "one-trip" and a "used" container?
A one-trip container has made a single ocean voyage and looks nearly new, with minimal wear: the closest to new without paying full price. Used containers have seen more service and are graded Cargo Worthy (CW) or Wind & Watertight (WWT) depending on condition, but remain structurally sound.
Does Iron Box deliver every container size across their service area?
Yes. Iron Box delivers 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube, 45ft, and 53ft containers out of our Creswell yard to all nine Oregon counties we serve (Lane, Linn, Benton, Douglas, Marion, Multnomah, Deschutes, Klamath, and Curry), plus broader statewide delivery through our partner network.
Which Size Is Right for You?
Every project is different, and the right size depends on more than just square footage. It depends on your site access, budget, and long-term plans. As an Oregon-owned dealer working out of our own Creswell yard (not a national broker), Iron Box's team can walk through your project over the phone and recommend a size with zero pressure, then follow up with a transparent quote and no hidden fees.
Get a Free Quote from Iron Box or call (541) 246-4696 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) to talk to a real person on our team who actually knows the inventory.